Fairway's Turf Online

Distinctive Darci bags Merlion Trophy

SINGAPORE: Apr 27, 2018

DISTINCTIVE DARCI gets up on the inside of COUNTOFMONTECRISTO
to win the Merlion Trophy - SNTC photo

It took a polytrack specialist DISTINCTIVE DARCI to run down odds-on favourite COUNTOFMONTECRISTO in the S$500,000 Merlion Trophy (1200m) at Kranji here tonight.

Top-rated COUNTOFMONTECRISTO, with seven wins from 11 starts behind him, was heading for victory when he took the lead in the home straight in the Group 2 sprint. when DISTINCTIVE DARCI charged home on his inside to claim victory by a neck.

DISTINCTIVE DARCI has now scored all his nine wins on the polytrack, and his first group win, after four previous attempts in group races on the turf without success.

"It was a big step-up for him tonight, and he’s come up with a fighting win," said trainer Mark Walker.

"Distinctive Darci is such a fantastic big horse. He loves this surface, he won eight races on it before and now he’s won nine, which is wonderful as it’s his first Group win," said jockey Vlad Duric.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	FOREVER YOUNG 2017 STAKES
1	MAIDEN - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
10	DYNAMIC EAGLE	S Burridge	R Curatolo	1
	(4 b.nz.g Showcasing - Spanish Fling by Iglesia)
8	Looks Good	D Meagher	Kellady	2
12	Make U Famous	CT Kuah	WH Kok	3
7	Gangnan CLassic	D Meagher	N Juglall	4

2	QUECHUA 2016 STAKES
2	RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
2	DRONE	M Clements	G Boss	1
	(2 ch.a.c Golden Archer - Shovella by Shovhog)
5	Monte Nerone	R Le Grange	B Vorster	2
3	Giant Killing	H Takaoka	CC Wong	3
1	Burkaan	M Walker	Woodworth	4

3	STEPITUP 2015 STAKES
3	CLASS 4 - 1800M
1	YULONG HONOR	R Le Grange	N Juglall	1
	(4 b.ir.h Galileo - Adoration by Honor Grades)
6	Lim's Ripple	S Burridge	M Rodd	2
11	Galaxy Express	H Takaoka	CC Wong	3
3	Moment Of Justice	M Walker	V Duric	4

4	GOODMAN 2014 STAKES
4	CLASS 5 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
6	MILITARY ALLIANCE	CT Kuah	M Ewe	1
	(8 b.ir.g Oasis Dream - Hovering by In The Wings)
10	King Of Thieves	Khoo	Z Zuriman	2
8	Evil Speedo	J Saimee	CC Wong	3
2	Silent Arrow	J Saimee	A Munro	4

5	FLAX 2013 STAKES
5	KRANJI STAKES C (SW) - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
7	MR LUCK	D Koh	Woodworth	1
	(6 b.am.g Kitten's Joy - Atlantic Beauty by Stormy Atlantic)
4	Marine Treasure	S Baertschiger	N Zyrul	2
3	Anonymous	J Saimee	V Duric	3
2	Pole Paradise	O'Hara	R Zawari	4

6	MERLION TROPHY
6	SINGAPORE GROUP 2 (WFA) - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	DISTINCTIVE DARCI	M Walker	V Duric	1
	(4 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass by Orientate)
1	Countofmontecristo	M Clements	M Rodd	2
3	Lim's Cruiser	S Gray	G Boss	3
12	Fortune Winner	L Dragon	M Ewe	4

7	CHASE ME 2012 STAKES
7	CLASS 3, DIV 1 - 1200M
9	LIM'S KNIGHT	M Walker	R Curatolo	1
	(5 b.a.g Kaphero - Solamina by Scenic)
11	Satellite Winner	O'Hara	C Grylls	2
2	Queen Roulette	Khoo	N Juglall	3
1	Command Royale	D Logan	WS Chan	4

8	CHAIRMAN'S TROPHY
8	SINGAPORE GROUP 2 (WFA) - 1600M
7	CIRCUIT LAND	DL Freedman	R Maia	1
	(7 b/br.am.g Mizzen Mast - Storm Dove by Storm Bird)
2	Infantry	HW Tan	V Duric	2
1	Elite Excalibur	C Brown	M Rodd	3
10	Preditor	S Baertschiger	J Powell	4

9	ALWAYS CERTAIN 2011 STAKES
9	CLASS 3, DIV 2 - 1200M
3	PAPARAZZI	S Baertschiger	J Powell	1
	(4 b.a.g Snitzel - Admirelle by General Nediym)
6	Baffert	C Brown	M Rodd	2
7	Sky Rocket	S Gray	A Munro	3
4	Lim's Royal	S Burridge	G Boss	4

10	THUNDERING JET 2010 STAKES
10	CLASS 4 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
8	GREEN STAR	D Logan	C Grylls	1
	(4 b.nz.g Iffraaj - Princess Prospero by Honour And Glory)
7	Fusion Power	J Saimee	S Noh	2
1	Arr Flair	S Burridge	M Rodd	3
3	Lord Ascot	S Gray	V Duric	4